When the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Altas ended the Lyceum Pirates’ 30-game elimination round winning streak, Frankie Lim basked in the moment.
But after a few moments after the game, the four-time NCAA Seniors Basketball Champion coach realized one thing.
“Well, it’s always nice to beat the strongest team in the league,” expressed Lim.
“Yung… isa pa pala… Eh ‘di wala na silang sweep? ‘Di ba napakasarap. Pwede na sila dumiretso kasi walang sweep,” he added with a wide grin.
“Akin lang yung sweep.”
Back in the 86th season of the league, Lim’s mighty San Beda Red Lions blew out the competition, making a 18-game sweep en route to their 15th seniors basketball crown.
Though Lyceum were able to accomplish an 18-game sweep seven years later, it all went for naught as the Pirates were swept by the Red Lions in the Finals.
But besides keeping the feat of a season sweep all by himself, the Altas also showed that they can keep up with the league’s best while keeping their Final Four hopes alive.
“To hold LPU – a very, very strong team – to hold them 13 points in the last quarter, is just something else. I just have to give it to my guys,” he said after Perpetual’s 83-81 victory.
“They really delivered and sabi ko nga sa pre-game ko, ‘I want to see you guys on attack mode’. And that’s what exactly happened.”
It was a collective effort indeed, as Prince Eze tallied 25 points and 23 rebounds, while lead gunner Edgar Charcos added 20 markers. Moreover, everyone Lim fielded also had a hand in this victory.
With Perpetual, the CSB Blazers, and the Letran Knights all fighting for two spots, Lim was relieved that those two squads will still have to take on Lyceum.
“Actually malaking bagay yung victory because we have now LPU helping us, beating the other teams para mailubog.
“But just the same, we have to beat the teams we’re supposed to beat. We’re playing JRU, Mapua, our next two games. Eh kailangan talunin namin yun kasi pag natalo kami sa isa, eh bale wala ito. Bale wala ito. So importante lang, naka-focus kami, well-rested kami,” he opined.
“Alam namin kung ano exactly kung ano ginagawa namin. Everybody should be on the same page and everybody should be unselfish. Then I think we’ll be alright.”
